Federal Government

The House of Representatives has commenced consideration of a bill to provide free ante-natal care to all pregnant women and stipends for mothers of triplets and other multiple births.

The bill initiated by Dr. Tony Nwoye representing Anambra East/West Federal Constituency also aims to address discrimination against pregnant women in the working place with sanctions stipulated against an employer who discriminates against a woman on account of her pregnancy.

The Federal Government’s efforts to check the further spread of the Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis in the country may be marred by high cost of dispensing the vaccine in public and private health institutions.

Nigerians who are eager to protect themselves against the deadly disease have said that the cost of procuring the vaccine is prohibitive.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the recent outbreak of the disease, especially in the northern parts of the country has claimed over 813 lives.

As the National Assembly commences the process of repealing the NHIS Act, the Health & Managed Care Association of Nigeria, (HMCAN )said the newly proposed Bill which is National Health Insurance Commission Bill, would ensure the regulatory agency focuses on the core function of regulation to expand the scheme’s benefit for more Nigerians.

Mrs Adejoke Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the Government on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) says the office will collaborate with stakeholders to attain zero under five mortality by 2030.

Adefulire gave the assurance on Saturday in Abuja at a national workshop organised by the Association of Female Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AFMLN) with the theme; “Contributing to SDG three by improving child and maternal health through enlightenment and education.

The Federal Government through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has rolled out four new strategies to boost polio eradication drive, strengthen routine immunization and ensure revitalization of primary health care centres in the country.

The Federal Government’s advocacy on the use of contraceptive among sexually active women in Nigeria for the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and abortion is beginning to yield positive results as more women are recorded to be embracing the method.

Compiled data from the 2015 report of the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, on health shows that contraceptive use among sexually active women of child bearing age increased by seven per cent compared to 2014.

The Federal Ministry of Health in partnership with Population Services International, PSI, and the Society for Family Health, SFH, is unveiling in Abuja today, results of the FPwatch research on Nigeria’s contraceptive methods and services.

FPwatch is a multi-country research project designed to generate evidence on modern contraceptive methods and service availability through surveys administered to all public and private health facilities and outlets.